That's hopping brilliant! Grasshopper close-up is top nature picture

That's hopping brilliant! Grasshopper close-up is top nature picture

That's hopping brilliant! Grasshopper close-up is top nature picture

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Jiminy cricket! Photograph of a grasshopper taken by Jessica Hilton, from the Isle of Wight, which has won the overall prize and insect category in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's photography competition

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This close-up photograph of a grasshopper has won an annual competition designed to capture the best shots of nature and wildlife in two counties.

Jessica Hilton's picture of a grasshopper was picked as the overall winner, with the works of 11 other photographers also winning a spot in Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's 2013 calendar.

Judge and trust vice chairman Chris Packham picked Jessica's picture for the top prize after it initially won the insect picture category. He said: "The enigmatic grasshopper takes the biscuit. Mildly abstract, unusual, peeping and most importantly a familiar, everyday subject portrayed in a surprising and attractive way. Top marks. I love the total green-ness."

Competition organiser Emma Pereira, from the trust, said: "We had more than 2,500 entries of an extremely high standard. They show off the diversity and beauty of our living landscapes which as a wildlife trust we are passionate about protecting. Choosing the winners was no easy task, but we are very happy with the twelve finalists."

The grasshopper will feature on the calendar's front cover and winning photographer Jessica, from the Isle of Wight, also won £150 to spend at London Camera Exchange in Southampton High Street.

The calendar will be on sale for £5 from mid-October at www.hwt.org.uk. All money raised from the sale of the calendar will go towards the work of the Wildlife Trust.